Target Advancement Program

The Michael J. Fox Foundation believes that a major hurdle in the development of promising treatments for Parkinson's disease is the need for well-validated targets linked to the disease process. By promoting critical target validation studies within academic and industry laboratories, MJFF investments can help de-risk subsequent drug development and ultimately accelerate the creation of innovative therapies for Parkinson's patients. Part of our Edmond J. Safra Core Programs for PD Research, the Target Advancement program seeks to build robust evidence to rationalize biological pathways and targets for further translation into new Parkinson's treatments.

DEADLINE

MAY18

Target Validation Awards

Target Validation awards support research characterizing promising, novel PD-relevant targets or continuing target biology work on established PD targets. These awards are well-suited to projects where hypothetical or experimental rationale for a target is compelling but where limited and study results can make the case for continuing (or discontinuing) a line of research. Target Validation Awards also support projects addressing roadblocks and knowledge gaps in understanding biological mechanisms associated with high-priority PD targets already supported by a strong body of validation data: alpha-synuclein, LRRK2, GBA, Nurr1, parkin and trophic factors. Proposals will be reviewed in the context of existing MJFF investments in these areas. Download the RFA (Application Process, Step #1) for more details.

Target Optimization Awards

Target Optimization Awards support research into promising treatments within MJFF-defined priority biological pathways. For the Fall 2016 round, we invite projects designed to probe the therapeutic potential of targeting mechanisms of dystonia associated with PD. This award is well suited to projects where hypothetical or experimental is compelling but limited and study results can make the case for continuing (or discontinuing) a line of research for eventual PD therapeutic development. Proposals should focus on filling key translational gaps in target validation including characterization and expression studies of cellular targets in human-derived tissues, target manipulation, or neural circuitry modulation in a suitable mammalian preclinical model relevant to Parkinsonís disease. Download the RFA (Application Process, Step #1)†for more details.

Deadlines

Pre-Proposals Due:

Full Proposal Invitations:

Full Proposals Due (by invite only):

Anticipated Award Announcement:

Anticipated Funding:

Fall 2016

by May 18, 2016 - 5pm US ET

by July 1st, 2016

August 5th, 2016 - 5pm US ET

October 2016

November 2016

Spring 2016

by October 28, 2015 - 5pm US ET

by January 15th, 2016

February 23rd, 2016 - 5pm US ET

May 2016

June 2016

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR

March 30, 201612 p.m. - 1 p.m.

This webinar provides an overview of MJFF's funding strategy, MJFF's funding opportunities and how to apply for funding and the review process.